Briefly Speaking

Faculty Assembly to vote

At the Aug. 31, 2000, meeting of the Faculty Assembly at 4:10 p.m. in Langford Auditorium, the faculty will vote on four proposals to change the composition of the Faculty Senate: (1) increase the total number of elected senators from 47 to 48; (2) increase the number of elected senators representing the School of Medicine from 11 to 13; (3) decrease the number of elected senators representing the College of Arts and Science from 16 to 15; and (4) cap the number of elected senators representing any one school or college at no more than one-third of the total number of elected senators. These proposals were put forth by the Senate Affairs Committee and were accepted by the Faculty Senate April 6, 2000. If approved, these changes will take effect with the Senate spring 2001 elections.

Williams named assistant dean

Brian N. Williams was named assistant dean for student affairs in the School of Engineering. Williams will have responsibility for administration of the school's Office of Student Services and will develop and support programs designed to augment and enhance the academic experience of engineering undergraduates. "Dr. Williams has a remarkable vision for developing a sense of community among engineering undergraduates," said Arthur Overholser, associate dean of engineering. "I am truly pleased that he has joined us, and I am convinced that the Vanderbilt University School of Engineering will be a better place for it." Williams comes to Vanderbilt from a faculty position in the Askew School of Public Administration and Policy at Florida State University.

VU Press names new director

Michael Ames, who developed more than 400 titles at Temple University Press since 1974, has been named director of the Vanderbilt University Press. He began his new duties Aug. 7. Ames replaces Charles Backus, who left to become director of the press at Texas A&M University in 1999. Paul Elledge, currently an associate dean in the College of Arts and Science and a professor of English, served as the interim director of VUP.

Vanderbilt receives Kaplan recognition

The Kaplan/Newsweek College Catalog 2001 has recognized Vanderbilt as both a "hidden treasure," and as a school offering the best career services. These rankings are based on information gathered from high school guidance counselors, and then matched with the percentages of schools in each region of the country.

VA education benefits notice

All eligible students who are interested in initiating or continuing veteran's benefits should report to Natalie W. Eames, VA coordinator, 134 Magnolia Circle. For more information, contact Eames at 322-7716 or via e-mail at n.eames@vanderbilt.edu.

Sarratt Gallery sponsors poster sale

The Sarratt Gallery is hosting an exhibition and sale of posters from Aug. 27 to Sept. 1. The fine art reproductions include landscapes, pop culture and contemporary masterpieces by Monet, Renoir, Degas and Picasso and are priced from $6 to $20. Sponsored by the Sarratt Visual Arts Committee, proceeds generated will benefit the Sarratt Gallery, which sponsors 10 exhibitions each year. All exhibits at Sarratt are free of charge and open to the public.

Hammond joins women's hoops staff

Jim Foster, women's basketball head coach, recently announced the hiring of former Commodore basketball standout Chavonne Hammond as assistant coach. "I have always wanted to get involved in coaching and to start at this level is a great opportunity," Hammond said. At the awards banquet last season, Hammond was named Defensive Player of the Year for the third consecutive year and was also named the Most Improved and Most Valuable Player.

McPhaul named men's golf coach

Vanderbilt Director of Athletics Todd Turner has named Press McPhaul, assistant men's golf coach at North Carolina State, men's head golf coach at Vanderbilt. McPhaul, 27, has a rich golf background as a competitor and as a coach. McPhaul replaces Jim Ragan, who recently became head men's coach at Oklahoma.

Top goalkeeper joins soccer program

The Vanderbilt soccer program recently announced the hiring of Eric Vaughter as assistant coach. In January, Vaughter was named to the U.S. Soccer National Coaching Staff as a goalkeeper trainer. He is considered one of the top goalkeeper trainers in the United States, and will work with both the men's and women's programs.

New women's soccer class ranked 17th

The 2000 Vanderbilt women's soccer recruiting class is ranked in the top 25 in the July 28 issue of Soccer Buzz magazine. The Commodores had the 17th best recruiting class overall, and the fourth best in the central region. "We are thrilled to be ranked in the top 25," said Robbie Church, head coach. "We feel good about this class and feel they will contribute immediately to the program." The 2000 class includes Michelle Bruntlett (Pensacola, Fla./Booker T. Washington); Laura Hershenow (Littleton, Colo./Columbine); Erin Higgins(Duluth, Ga./Chattahoochee); Jennifer Lewis (Birmingham, Ala./Briarwood Christian); Kendra SaSa (Wheat Ridge, Colo./Wheat Ridge).